64 Days
Has Michael Dyer been overlooked?
In the midst of the greatest season in Auburn history and in the midst of the greatest season of any single player in the history of college football, a 5'7 200 pound power/scat back broke a long standing record by Auburn's most prolific and most historic player.
He is now Auburn's leading freshman runner and still has a few years to accomplish even more.
We're all waiting in anticipation to see how great he can be.
But is there a need to "wait"? Should he already be considered great or even legendary?
Bo Jackson changed Auburn. He brought us out of the shadow of Alabama and launched us "over the top" in the upper echelon of college football. His eye dropping runs were so important, they were given names. Names that symbolized their importance. And he was the spotlight and deserved it all.
But what about Dyer? How does he compare?
This past season was a stepping stone for Auburn football. Bo brought us over the top of Alabama. Which was great. We have a winning record against them since Bo dove over the pile. We've won some SEC championships. We've had a few undefeated seasons.
But we've always stumbled. Always right before the end fallen to our knees before claiming the trophy we thought was ours.
Last season, we didn't fall. We claimed the trophy. And all of the accolades went to Cam. And rightfully so.
But what about that little guy fresh out of high school?
What about the fact that he had 20+ yard runs in 8/14 games we played? Most of which came in important SEC/championship games.
What about the 100 yard performance against South Carolina that solidified the close, tough win?
What about the 100 yard performance against LSU? Remember when Patrick Peterson grabbed a hold of him near the end zone? Dyer dragged him a few yards then released him to the ground before scampering a few more yards down the field.
What about the 180 yard performance to knock out Ole Miss?
The fact that he broke Bo's record against UGA in the midst of peril off the field?
The 13 yard scamper that set up the final touchdown to Lutz against Alabama?
And most importantly, the one for the symbols.
Bo went over the top and showed the world that we would no long be beneath Alabama or anyone else in the SEC.
Dyer refused to go down. Refused to be tackled. He was brought close to the ground in a close game in the most important game in Auburn's history.
But instead of going to the ground, Dyer stayed up. It was shocking. We were all so used to falling short of the crystal ball like in 1983, 1993, and 2004.
Dyer's refusal to put his knee on the ground was the battle yell from Auburn that we would no longer be falling short of our goal.
But we've heard everything about Cam. Not as much about Dyer - the freshman who did more than Bo.
Luckily, Dyer has at least two more years to turn heads.
64 Days.
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